Guard for nail clippers



Den 9, 1 2 H. H. BAHR 2,620,560

GUARD /FOR NAIL CLIPEERS Filed Oct. 51, 1951 attorney Patented Dec. 9, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Henry H. Bahr, Manhasset, N. Y.

Application October 31, 1951, Serial No. 254,017

various purposes such as'for cutting finger and toe nails, for trimming metal members; including sheets or foil and for various other purposes. In the use of clippers such as for cutting nails, it has been found that as the nails are cut, the force used in cutting causes the fragments to be projected in various directions. 7 This becomes a difficulty and is annoying, so that attempts to overcome the disadvantages have been made. Various attachments to nail clippers have been proposed in order to act as guards and to prevent such fragments from flying in all directions.

All such devices known to applicant have consisted in metal plates or similar members which were attachedto the clippers and in effect made a part thereof. In one such device, a flat plate curvedand tapered at one end was held on to one of the jaws of-the clipper :by'boring and threading a hole therein and attaching the guard by a set screw threaded into said opening. This made a relatively permanent attachment and it required modification of the clippers so that the ordinary individual not having tools and mechanical skill, was unable to use it.

In another proposed guard a plate of similar size and shape was provided with a keyhole slot. The pivot pin of the clippers was provided with a projecting member such as a stud, and the guard was slipped over the head of the stud by means of the keyhole slot and held in position by sliding the guard into final position. This type of device had similar disadvantages and furthermore, it was not held securely in place so that it was likely to slip off of the clippers while in use. Since the head of the stud projected from the surface of the clippers, it could readily be caught in a persons clothing, and otherwise cause damage. While guards of this character performed some function in reducing the tendency of the clippings to fly all about, they did not prevent this and furthermore they allowed the clippings to drop from the guard.

The present invention is intended and adapted to overcome the difficulties and disadvantages inherent in devices of the type described, it being among the objects of the present invention to provide a guard for clippers which may be readily attached to the clippers and be readily removed therefrom.

It is also among the objects of the present invention to provide a guard for clippers and the like which does not interfere with the operation thereof and which not only prevents fragments from flying about but also retains them within the guard itself.

14 Claims. (Cl. 30124) It is further among the objects of the present invention to provide a guard which is in the nature of a receptacle, which is substantially transparent so that the operation of the clippers is visible to the user, and which may also serve as a holder for the clippers when not in use.

In practicing the present invention there is provided a container preferably made of a transparent or translucent synthetic plastic material such as are Well-known on the market. Compositions of this type include polyvinyl resins, acrylate resins, cellulose ester compositions and many others. The container is generally closed on all its sides and has an opening at one end thereof for the insertion of the clippers. On one side thereof there is provided a. window opposite the meeting edges of the pair of jaws of the clipper. This provides access for a fingeror toe or article to be out.

In a preferred form of the invention the opening or mouth through which the clippers are inserted is of such form and resiliency that it clamps around the base of the clippers, thus holding the guard firmly in position. It is also preferred that the window be of such size and shape so that the edges thereof are practically in contact with the outer edges of the jaws of the clippers. With such an arrangement, action of the clippers remains free and unhampered but at the same time it becomes impossible for any of the fragments to fly out of the container or guard. A cover or flap for the opening may be provided.

In the accompanying drawing constituting a part hereof, in which like reference characters indicate like parts. 7

Fig. 1 is a front elevational View of a guard for clippers made in accordance with the present invention, shown in association with a pair of clippers;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view thereof taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a different form of guard having a considerable amount of capacity for holding fragments;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a further modification of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a perspective exploded view of a still further modified form of the invention which is box-like in structure;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, enlarged cross-sectional view of Fig. 5; and

Fig. '7 is still another modification in which the guard or container is of tubular form.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the guard l is of relatively thin transparent synthetic resinous material which has an inherent resiliency. It is formed generally as an ellipse with the open end or mouth 2 having preferably an oval opening. The clippers have a pair of handles 3 pivoted together and provided with jaws 4 and 5. The size of opening 2 is such as to allow jaws 4 and 5 to enter but the resiliency of the material causes the edges of the opening to grip or clamp the base orthe clippers at the area of the pivot pin. By thi arrangement, as the clippers are being operated, the guard l is held in position in the area of the pivot by the opening and closing of the jaws.

The outer edges 6 a d I of jaws 4 and 5 are generally curved and tapered to a point at the tip of the clippers. A window having similarly shaped edge 8 is formed on one side of guard l and edge 9 completes the window opening. Edges 8 practically contact with edges 6 and I and in the operation of the clippers, jaws 4 and 5 enter into the enclosed space of guard. I when the jaws are Op In the operation of the device, a finger I is inserted into a window so that the end I l of the finger nail is between the cutting edges of the jaws. As the clippers are operated, the fragments of nail fall into the body of guard l and are retained therein, It is practically impossible for the clippings to fiy out of the guard as the neck opening 2 closely contacts the base of the clippers and window 8 is practically in contact with the edges of the jaws. It is a simple matter to slide guard 1 off of the clippers and the fragments may then be disposed of. If it is desired to use the guard as a holder for the clippers when not in use, the guard is slipped towards the left from the position shown in Fig. '2 so that the tip of the clippers is substantially in contact with the closed end of the guard.

In Fig. 3 is shown a guard consisting of a container of rectangular form having a top I2, with a suitably shaped opening l3 at one side thereof. In one of the ends I is formed a substantially rectangular opening l6 into which clippers I! may be inserted. The bottom [4 of the container is made relatively large so that it may hold a considerable amount of fragments. Such a device is adapted for many uses, for instance, in jewelry manufacturing where precious metals are cut or clipped and it is essential that none or the fragments be lost. This device enables the operator to continue operations for a considerable length of time without the necessity for stopping in order to find or gather clippings or fragments.

Referring to Fig. (l, the guard consists of a pair of sheets l8 and IQ of the same size and shape and made of resilient plastic material and here shown as rectangular in form. The sheets are heat sealed along side edges '20 and 2| and may also be completely sealed along end 23 although, if desired, this seal may be omitted in whole or in part. The opposite .end 22 constitutes the mouth of the guard .and the edges of sheets I8 and 19 are a slight distance apart to provide an opening into which the point or tip of the clippers may be readily inserted.

A window is formed in sheet I8 having a straight edge 24 adjacent to mouth 22and an arcuate edge 25 adjacent to end 23 with substantially tapering edges 26 joining them. The operation of the device is similar to that described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2, with the difference that there is less capacity in .the guard for fragments .or clippin s.- This form of device has the advantage of requiring very little space 4 for storage, being cheap and easy to produce and being convenient to use.

With reference to Figs. 5 and 6, there is provided a box 21 open at the top and closed around its sides but having an opening 28 at one end thereof. There is provided a cover 29 having depending flange 30 around the sides thereof, said flange being adapted to overlie box 21 when in operative position. An opening 31 provided at one end of the flange of equivalent size and form to opening 28 and registering therewith. This provides an opening for the insertion of the clippers. A window 32 is provided in clipper 29 whereby a finger or an article to be trimmed may be inserted. In container 21 opposite window 32 is a suitable opening into which is fitted a resilient washer 33 having a grooved rim. It has a central opening 33' for holding a wire or the like to be cut. Opening 33' is of suitable shape to conform with that of the article to be held therein. This form has the advantage that when one Wishes to remove the clippings, the cover is re, moved and the clippings disposed of.

In Fig. 7 is shown a guard or container of tubular form, one end 34 of which is closed, The open end 35 of said container is provided with stopper 36 of resilient material such as highly elastic vulcanized rubber. oval opening 31 in stopper 38 provides means for inserting clippers into container 33. Window 38 a depressed portion of the side o th u lm r PIQVi G West for a finger or an article.

Although the invention has been described setting forth several specific embodiments thereof the invention is not limited thereto, as vtu'ious a es may be made Within the spir t hem r i s a e. she 33 may be of an s e as is opening 3-3, a d th -rim t ere need n t b roo A ash r arran em n may be pro ided on e orms sho n in the othe fi uresh e towards which the tip of the clipper extends may b inforced. .In Figl, the guard may be ade of a section of extruded tubin I-he term clippers includes similar tools, such as scissors, shears and niPPe S I claim:

1. A guard for nail slippers and the like com prising ;an envelope having an opening at one end thereof to allow the insertion of said clippers, one of thesides of said envelope having a window of size and shape approximately that of the jaws of .said clippers.

:2. A guard for nail slippers and the like com-.- prising an envelope having an opening at one end thereof to allow the insertion of said clippers, one pf the sides .of said envelope having a window of size and shape approximately that of the jawsof said clippers, the edges .of said Window being substantially in contact with the outer edges of said aws.

.3. A guard for nail clippers. and the like comprising an envelope having an opening at one end thereof. to allow the inserztionof said clippers, one

of the sides of said envelope having a window of size and shape approximately that of the jaws of said clippers, said envelope being flat and being sealed along all its edges except said opening.

4. A guard for nail clippers and the like comprising an envelope having an opening at oneend thereof to allow the insertion of said clippers, one of the sides of said envelope having va window .of size and shape approximately that of the jaws of sa d c p er said enve pe ha in su st ntia depth.

5. A guard for nail clippers and the like comprising an envelope having an opening at one end thereof to allow the insertion of said clippers, one of the sides of said envelope having a window of size and shape approximately that of the jaws of said clippers, said envelope having substantial depth, said end being resilient and adapted to grip said clippers to retain the same in operative position. a

6. A guard for nail clippers and the like comprising an envelope having an opening at one end thereof to allow the insertion of said clippers, one of the sides of said envelope having a window of size and shape approximately that of the jaws of said clippers, said envelope having substantial depth, said end being oval and resilient and adapted to grip said clippers to retain the same in operative position.

'7. A guard for nail clippers and the like comprising an envelope having an opening at one end thereof to allow the insertion of said clippers, one of the sides of said envelope having a window of size and shape approximately that of the jaws of said clippers, said envelope having substantial depth and the cross-section thereof being ellipsoidal.

8. A guard for nail clippers and the like comprising an envelope having an opening at one end thereof to allow the insertion of said clippers, one of the sides of said envelope having a Window of size and shape approximately that of the jaws of said clippers, said envelope having substantial depth and the cross-section thereof being ellipsoidal, the area surrounding said window being depressed to contact the jaws of said clippers.

9. A guard for nail clippers and the like comprising an envelope having an opening at one end thereof to allow the insertion of said clippers, one of the sides of said envelope having a window of size and shape approximately that of the jaws of said clippers, said envelope being substantially rectangular in cross-section.

10. A guard for nail clippers and the like comprising an envelope having an opening at one end thereof to allow the insertion of said clippers, one of the sides of said envelope having a window of size and shape approximately that of the jaws of said clippers, said envelope being tubular with said opening at one end thereof.

11. A guard for nail clippers and the like comprising an envelope having an opening at one end thereof to allow the insertion of said clippers, one of the sides of said envelope having a. window of size and shape approximately that of the jaws of said clippers, said envelopes being tubular with said opening at one end thereof and an elastic perforated plug in said end providing said opening.

12. A guard for nail clippers and the like comprising an envelope having an opening at one end thereof to allow the insertion of said clippers, one of the sides of said envelope having a window of size and shape approximately that of the jaws of said clippers, the edge of said window remote from said opening being spaced from the far end of said envelope so that the point of said clippers may be retained in said far end.

13. A guard for nail clippers and the like comprising an envelope having an opening at one end thereof to allow the insertion of said clippers, one of the sides of said envelope having a window of size and shape approximately that of the jaws of said clippers, the side opposite said window having an opening and a washer in said opening.

14:. A guard for nail clippers and the like comprising an envelope having an opening at one end thereof to allow the insertion of said clippers, one of the sides of said envelope having a window of size and shape approximately that of the jaws of said clippers, the side opposite said window having an opening and a washer in said opening, said washer having an opening therein.

HENRY H. BAHR.

No references cited. 

